Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Stranger Things season 4, volume 2!
The end is near for Netflix's hit original series, and Stranger Things season 4, volume 2 kills several characters along the way. After a prolonged wait for a return to the Upside Down, Stranger Things season 4 delivered a smaller episode count but with longer episodes. This necessitated Netflix releasing the highly anticipated return over two volumes, which only increased excitement for how the penultimate season would conclude.
Volume 2 picks up directly after where Stranger Things season 4, volume 1 ended. The final two episodes put Eleven on a collision course to face Vecna again following the revelation that the terrifying villain was one of her only friends in Dr. Brenner's facility. While Eleven attempts to save her friends from the other side of the country, the collection of characters in Hawkins had plans of their own. It involved using Max as bait in the real world while Steve, Nancy, and Robin return to the Upside Down to kill Vecna. With all of the Stranger Things season 4 stories and character groupings converging around Vecna's defeat, there was a growing belief that the large ensemble cast could become smaller.
Throughout the history of the show, Stranger Things has killed some major characters, such as Barb and Bob. As usual, Steve Harrington was a prime suspect to die in Stranger Things season 4, volume 2, while there was also a lot of worry about what would happen to Nancy in the Upside Down. Both of these characters ultimately survived their encounter with Vecna and the group's plot to defeat him. However, not everyone was quite so lucky. Stranger Things season 4, volume 2 kills multiple characters in the lead-up to and during the massive finale.
Dr. Brenner Dies In Stranger Things Season 4 Episode 8
The first major death in Stranger Things season 4, volume 2 comes during episode 8, titled "Papa." Audiences long suspected that Dr. Brenner would have a major role to play in the episode based on the title alone. Matthew Modine's character does have a prominent part in the first episode of Stranger Things season 4, volume 2. He continues to try and teach Eleven about her powers and coerce her into staying at his new facility instead of leaving to save her friends. Brenner's attitude changes once the government comes to his facility to kill Eleven, which leads him to help her escape. It is only after breaching the door that Brenner and Eleven see multiple other doctors have been shot and killed.
Due to the drugs that Brenner previously injected Eleven with, he is forced to carry her as they try to run away through the desert. This becomes more dangerous due to the government helicopter with a sniper on board tasked with killing anyone who tries to escape. The sniper shoots Brenner in the shoulder at first, but he eventually collapses to the ground after getting shot a few more times. It is not until a bit later that Stranger Things season 4, volume 2 kills Dr. Brenner for good, though. He releases the power-dampening device around Eleven's neck and gets to have one more conversation with her. So after volume 1 confirmed that Papa was still alive in the present day after his presumed death ins season 1, Stranger Things season 4, volume 2 kills Brenner in the end.
Eddie Munson Dies In Stranger Things Season 4 Volume 2's Finale
The addition of Eddie Munson proved to be one of the best aspects of Stranger Things season 4, as Joseph Quinn's Dungeons and Dragons-obsessed character and leader of the Hellfire Club became a fan-favorite character. He was at the heart of the story throughout the fourth season, as Eddie Munson was the prime suspect for Chrissy's death. This led to a growing conspiracy that he was behind all of Hawkins' ritualistic-like deaths that Vecna was responsible for. Viewers and many of the Stranger Things characters learned that Eddie was actually a caring and fun-loving young adult, but his status as a new character not heavily connected to the show's overall story sparked concerns that he could die.
The Stranger Things season 4, volume 2 finale kills Eddie Munson in heartbreaking fashion. After playing the most metal rendition of Metallica's "Master of Puppets" in the Upside Down, he helps Dustin return to the normal world before cutting the rope. Eddie returns to the outside to fight Vecna's killer bats so he could finally be the hero he's always stopped himself from being. He valiantly fights of the swarm of Upside Down creatures for a while, but their strength in numbers eventually overwhelms him. Eddie's death in Stranger Things season 4, volume 2 comes with Dustin right by his side, and he is sure to tell Eddie's uncle that his nephew died a hero.
Jason Carver Dies In Stranger Things Season 4 Volume 2
Jason Carver also dies in Stranger Things season 4, volume 2. The star basketball player learns that Lucas is in the old Creel House and believes he is involved with the various Hawkins deaths. Once Jason gets to the house, he attacks Lucas and nearly kills him while Max is trapped by Vecna. Lucas eventually gains the upper hand and knocks Jason to the ground, where he stays for the rest of the finale. This is unfortunate for the vengeful jock, as it puts him directly in the path of the Upside Down's spreading cracks. Jason dies in Stranger Things season 4, volume 2's ending when he is ripped in half by the Upside Down.
Max Mayfield Dies In Stranger Things Season 4 (Technically)
Max Mayfield was in the most danger of dying in Stranger Things season 4 as any of the show's main characters. The first volume of episodes showed that she became a target of Vecna's, and he even came extremely close to making her one of his victims. It was only thanks to Kate Bush's "Running Up The Hill" that Max was able to escape Vecna's grasp and live to see another day. However, Stranger Things season 4, volume 2 shows that she is willing to put her life in danger once again if that means possibly killing the evil being once and for all. Max's plan was to use herself as bait but then control the circumstances of her encounters with Vecna since he was invading her mind, which would give the others an opportunity to kill Vecna in the Upside Down's Creel house.
Max knows her plan is risky, but there is a good portion of Stranger Things season 4 where it seems like it is going to work - especially once Eleven makes a surprise appearance in her head to fight Vecna. Unfortunately for Max, Vecna does get the upper hand and restrains Eleven from helping her friend. It is at this point that Vecna begins his ritualistic killing acts on Max, as her limbs snap, eyes fade to white, and blood begins coming from her eyes. Eleven does stop Vecna before Max suffers the same horrifying fate as other Hawkins teens, but she is still left severely injured in the real world. In fact, Lucas says that her heart stopped beating for a full minute. Max dies in Stranger Things season 4, volume 2's finale based on that technicality. She still has a chance to survive, though, thanks to Eleven healing her from inside Max's mind somehow.
Does Vecna Die In Stranger Things Season 4, Volume 2?
As the big bad of Stranger Things season 4, there was always a question about whether or not Vecna would die in volume 2. Even after watching the finale, some viewers might be confused about whether or not the man formerly known as Henry is dead. After Eleven stops Vecna from killing Max, he is shown in the attic of the Creel house in the Upside Down, where Steve, Nancy, and Robin are. Steve and Robin set him on fire, while Nancy shoots him several times with her shotgun. The final shot sends him falling out the top window. While there are pieces of his remains left on the ground, the charred ground also makes it seem like Vecna burned to death and there is nothing left of him.
Stranger Things season 4, volume 2 confirms that Vecna did not die later on, though. Once the story returns to the regular world, all of the main characters reunite in Hawkins. This includes Will coming back to his hometown, where he reveals that he can feel Vecna again thanks to his lingering connection to the Mind Flayer. So if there was any confusion that Vecna died in Stranger Things season 4, volume 2, Will's dialogue confirms that he is very much still alive. It appears Vecna is healing up and waiting to strike again, which will happen once Stranger Things season 5 rolls around.
Want more Stranger Things season 4 articles? Check out our essential content below...
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- Stranger Things Season 4 Cast & Character Guide
- Stranger Things' Vecna Identity, Powers & Origin Fully Explained
- How Hopper Survived Stranger Things Season 3's Ending
- How Many Kids Were In Hawkins' Lab (& How Many Are Dead)
- What The Grandfather Clock Means In Stranger Things Season 4
- Stranger Things Season 4 Volume 1 Easter Eggs & References